AUSTIN — Regents of the University of Texas System defied the wishes of Lt. Governor Dan Patrick at a meeting on Friday, authorizing universities to consider tuition increases.

The board's action, recommended by UT System Chancellor William McRaven, authorizes universities presidents to begin a consultative process with their students and campuses to make tuition recommendations to the regents for 2016 and 2017. A two percent increase per year to account for cost escalation may be included in the universities' recommendations, along with other increases the universities can justify.

The framework requires that all recommendations address student affordability.

Patrick spoke out against the framework earlier this week, but UT System administrators said the procedure is necessary to help universities keep up with cost escalations.

"Cost escalation caused by inflation continues to challenge the ability of UT System institutions to recruit and retain talent," UT System Deputy Chancellor David Daniel said. "There are varying circumstances at each campus, and varying needs at each campus."

UT System Regent Wallace Hall, who spoke out against the framework on Friday, said the procedures implied it was impossible to lower the cost of higher education in Texas. He was one of two regents who voted against McRaven's recommendation.

Hall warned his fellow regents that patience from lawmakers with the UT System is "running out." UT System Regents Alex Cranberg voted against the procedures as well.

"I think the framework expresses an expectation that we should see a tuition increase above inflation," Cranberg said. "Student tuition raise should be a last resort, not an expectation."

McRaven said universities that comply with the framework would receive favorable consideration when they approach the board with tuition recommendations in February 2016.

When Patrick spoke out against the framework on Thursday, he said the he hoped the regents would discuss ways to make college more affordable.

"I encourage them to remember that we must keep the cost of college tuition at a level that is within reach of all Texans," Patrick said. "With the dramatic increase in funding from the legislature this session, I am surprised that they are already looking at ways to raise tuition on students.”